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Lightning Unveil 41 Selections at 'Celebration of the Arts'

by
Staff Writer
/ Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning Foundation and Tampa Bay Lightning, along with chairman and governor Jeff Vinik and his wife, Penny, tonight unveiled the 41 selected art pieces chosen to adorn the walls of the IOA (Insurance Office of America) Executive Suite Level at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. During the 2nd annual ‘Celebration of the Arts’ the Lightning awarded the top three pieces of artwork that were submitted throughout the summer by local Tampa Bay artists tonight. Honorable mentions rounding out the Top 10 were also awarded a cash prize of $250.

The art was judged by executive directors Todd Smith (Tampa Museum of Art), Dr. Hank Hine (the Dali Museum), assistant curator of art after 1950, Katherine Pill (Museum of Fine Arts) and Steven High (Ringling Museum), along with Penny Vinik. The group evaluated more than 350 submitted works of art and narrowed them down to the final 41 that would be hung at the Times Forum. They then selected the Top 3. The third place winner, taking home $500, was Tom Floyd with his piece titled, Team Work. The runner up, with a prize of $1,000, was Frank Bolock with his submission, Rebuilding Tampa. The winner of the Celebration of the Arts, and the $1,500 prize, was Raquel Garabeli with her piece, Hockey Bike.

“I would like to thank all the artists who submitted their work to our Celebration of the Arts and who helped grow this exhibition from last year’s inaugural event,” Penny Vinik said. “The Lightning and Lightning Foundation would also like to thank all the members of the Tampa Bay arts community for helping to beautify the walls of the Times Forum and for introducing our fans and visitors to the visual beauty that is Tampa Bay.”

The Lightning’s 2nd annual Celebration of the Arts’ goal is to display images that celebrate the Tampa Bay area and the history of the Lightning. The team is committed to leading by example and inspiring others to give in all sorts of ways. They contributed through the Community Heroes program, as well as the C.H.A.R.G.E. volunteer program, $2.05 million in cash awards and more than 5,000 volunteer hours, respectively, during the 2012-13 season. In addition to continuing the Community Hero and C.H.A.R.G.E. programs for the 2013-14 season, the Lightning are also excited to continue to create awareness of Tampa Bay’s art community through this exciting, local art showcase.